2026 call for spores
Chicago-based contemporary music ensemble mycelium new music announces its first-ever “call for spores.” We invite early-career composers to submit scores and recordings of original works for pierrot sextet, or works for a similar chamber instrumentation that they intend to arrange for our instrumentation of pierrot sextet - see full guidelines below. The jury will consist of guest composer juror(s) alongside Mycelium New Music’s Programming Committee. Submissions will be judged across multiple rounds on their artistry, imagination, and practicality.
1-3 selected pieces will be programmed, performed, and recorded as part of Mycelium New Music’s 2026-27 concert season in Chicago. Selected composers are expected to attend the performance; they will receive an honorarium to cover travel as well as free lodging in Chicago. Selected composers may also be chosen to participate in Mycelium’s Rhizome Project, which presents the second performance of works by emerging composers which have only been performed once. Selected composers will be notified by April 1st, 2026.
Eligibility
Submissions must be from composers based in the United States who identify as “early-career.”
The duration of the work must be between 5 and 15 minutes in length.
Scores and recordings should not be anonymous.
There is an application fee of $15.00 per work submitted. Composers may submit as many works as they would like.
Submissions must be made by the deadline of February 15th, 2026.
The instrumentation of the work must either be:
Option 1) score for sextet of flute (dbl. picc), clarinet (dbl. Eb cl./bass cl.), violin, cello, piano, and percussion. Acoustic works and electroacoustic works are both encouraged.
OR
Option 2) scored for a similar chamber ensemble which, if selected, you agree to transcribe or arrange for our sextet instrumentation of flute (dbl. picc), clarinet (dbl. Eb cl./bass cl.), violin, cello, piano, and percussion. This original version of the work must be scored for an instrumentation of 4-8 musicians, and must use at least three of the instruments of a pierrot sextet. For example:
- a piece scored for flute, violin, cello, and piano; or a piece scored for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, violin, cello, piano, and percussion would be eligible
- a piece scored for chamber orchestra; or for solo piano; or for trumpet, horn, violin, and piano, would not be eligible
The final score and parts of the new arranged work will be due on September 1st, 2026.
Timeline
February 15th, 2026 - Application Deadline
April 1st, 2026 - Results of “Call for Spores” Announced
September 1st, 2026 - “Option 2” Final Score and Parts Due
Application Checklist
A Google Drive link to a legible PDF score of your work. Please ensure that sharing is set to “anyone,” and that links remain active through Spring 2026.
A link to an audio or video recording of your work. Live or studio recordings are encouraged, but MIDI recordings are acceptable. If sending a Google Drive/Dropbox link, please ensure that sharing is set to “anyone,” and that links remain active through Spring 2026.
Program Notes (under 250 words)
Composer Bio (under 250 words)
Application fee of $15.00, submitted at givebutter.com/CallforSpores
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are works with electronics (e.g., tape, processing, etc) eligible?
A: Yes, although the practicality of the electronics setup may play a role in our programming decisions.
Q: How many works can I submit?
A: As many as you’d like, provided you pay the $15.00 application fee each time.
Q: What percussion instruments do you have available?
A: We are able to program works with a wide variety of different percussion instruments and setups; however, the practicality of the percussion list may play a role in our programming decisions. (This might not be the right opportunity for your piece for 5 timpani, tubular bells, and 5-octave marimba - however awesome it is).
Q: I have a piece which is almost for Mycelium’s instrumentation, but requires an additional instrument (eg, fl, cl, vln, vla, vlc, pno, perc) - can I submit it?
A: You can submit it with Option 2, provided you are interested in and able to make a version of your piece which fits our sextet instrumentation by Sept 1st, 2026. We are unable to hire any additional musicians for the works picked through our Call for Spores.
Q: I have a piece which is almost for Mycelium’s instrumentation, but is missing an instrument (eg, fl, cl, vln, vlc, pno) - can I submit it?
A: You can submit it with Option 2, provided you are interested in and able to make a version of your piece which fits our sextet instrumentation by Sept 1st, 2026.
Q: I don’t have a live recording of my piece - can I still submit it?
A: Submitting your piece with a MIDI recording is acceptable.
Q: Can I still submit if my piece has been performed before?
A: Absolutely! One of Mycelium’s flagship projects presents the second performances of works by emerging composers. However, please include a performance history of each submitted work.
Q: How do you define an “early-career” composer?
A: It’s up to you to identify yourself as an early-career composer! We will not be dogmatic or prescriptive in deciding who can apply to this call. However, we are looking for composers for whom working with Mycelium will provide an important, significant opportunity.
If you have questions, please send us an email at [email protected].
1-3 selected pieces will be programmed, performed, and recorded as part of Mycelium New Music’s 2026-27 concert season in Chicago. Selected composers are expected to attend the performance; they will receive an honorarium to cover travel as well as free lodging in Chicago. Selected composers may also be chosen to participate in Mycelium’s Rhizome Project, which presents the second performance of works by emerging composers which have only been performed once. Selected composers will be notified by April 1st, 2026.
Eligibility
Submissions must be from composers based in the United States who identify as “early-career.”
The duration of the work must be between 5 and 15 minutes in length.
Scores and recordings should not be anonymous.
There is an application fee of $15.00 per work submitted. Composers may submit as many works as they would like.
Submissions must be made by the deadline of February 15th, 2026.
The instrumentation of the work must either be:
Option 1) score for sextet of flute (dbl. picc), clarinet (dbl. Eb cl./bass cl.), violin, cello, piano, and percussion. Acoustic works and electroacoustic works are both encouraged.
OR
Option 2) scored for a similar chamber ensemble which, if selected, you agree to transcribe or arrange for our sextet instrumentation of flute (dbl. picc), clarinet (dbl. Eb cl./bass cl.), violin, cello, piano, and percussion. This original version of the work must be scored for an instrumentation of 4-8 musicians, and must use at least three of the instruments of a pierrot sextet. For example:
- a piece scored for flute, violin, cello, and piano; or a piece scored for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, violin, cello, piano, and percussion would be eligible
- a piece scored for chamber orchestra; or for solo piano; or for trumpet, horn, violin, and piano, would not be eligible
The final score and parts of the new arranged work will be due on September 1st, 2026.
Timeline
February 15th, 2026 - Application Deadline
April 1st, 2026 - Results of “Call for Spores” Announced
September 1st, 2026 - “Option 2” Final Score and Parts Due
Application Checklist
A Google Drive link to a legible PDF score of your work. Please ensure that sharing is set to “anyone,” and that links remain active through Spring 2026.
A link to an audio or video recording of your work. Live or studio recordings are encouraged, but MIDI recordings are acceptable. If sending a Google Drive/Dropbox link, please ensure that sharing is set to “anyone,” and that links remain active through Spring 2026.
Program Notes (under 250 words)
Composer Bio (under 250 words)
Application fee of $15.00, submitted at givebutter.com/CallforSpores
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are works with electronics (e.g., tape, processing, etc) eligible?
A: Yes, although the practicality of the electronics setup may play a role in our programming decisions.
Q: How many works can I submit?
A: As many as you’d like, provided you pay the $15.00 application fee each time.
Q: What percussion instruments do you have available?
A: We are able to program works with a wide variety of different percussion instruments and setups; however, the practicality of the percussion list may play a role in our programming decisions. (This might not be the right opportunity for your piece for 5 timpani, tubular bells, and 5-octave marimba - however awesome it is).
Q: I have a piece which is almost for Mycelium’s instrumentation, but requires an additional instrument (eg, fl, cl, vln, vla, vlc, pno, perc) - can I submit it?
A: You can submit it with Option 2, provided you are interested in and able to make a version of your piece which fits our sextet instrumentation by Sept 1st, 2026. We are unable to hire any additional musicians for the works picked through our Call for Spores.
Q: I have a piece which is almost for Mycelium’s instrumentation, but is missing an instrument (eg, fl, cl, vln, vlc, pno) - can I submit it?
A: You can submit it with Option 2, provided you are interested in and able to make a version of your piece which fits our sextet instrumentation by Sept 1st, 2026.
Q: I don’t have a live recording of my piece - can I still submit it?
A: Submitting your piece with a MIDI recording is acceptable.
Q: Can I still submit if my piece has been performed before?
A: Absolutely! One of Mycelium’s flagship projects presents the second performances of works by emerging composers. However, please include a performance history of each submitted work.
Q: How do you define an “early-career” composer?
A: It’s up to you to identify yourself as an early-career composer! We will not be dogmatic or prescriptive in deciding who can apply to this call. However, we are looking for composers for whom working with Mycelium will provide an important, significant opportunity.
If you have questions, please send us an email at [email protected].